Tioman is well known as a diving and snorkelling paradise, just like Redang and Perhentian in the north of Peninsular Malaysia. Usually you pay around RM90 for each dive (this includes use of equipment and such). You can get your Open Water license (PADI) here for around RM1000, but know that for this you need to stay at least 5 days on the island. Though main activities around Tioman Island are diving and snorkelling, there are many other nice things to do during your stay at the island. Tioman is popular among those that like fishing. Deep-sea fishing trips can be arranged at many places on the island. There are almost no roads on Tioman but there are quite a few jungle tracks. These are perfect for light jungle treks. Two popular treks are from Tekek to Juara (2hrs) and from Tekek all the way to Monkey Bay. Besides that, there are also great beaches such as Genting Beach, Tekek Beach and Salang Beach. At these beaches there are aquatic sports operators (kayaking, surfing, wakeboarding and jet skiing).
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Tioman Island is in the middle of the year during May until July. This is the time were many traveller especially foreigner would have to come to this island because of summer holiday in Europe. For divers, august is the best time for them to come as marine life will be at the richest due to the warm water in the seas or just to head out for dip into the clear waters of the ocean make it a heaven place for visits.
Directions
By Ferry
You can take Ferry from Mersing on the mainland for about 2 hours of journey. Some ferries also depart from Tanjung Gemuk to the north of Mersing. Take note that a small MYR5 marine park conservation fee is levied on visitors at the jetty gate. The ferry will stop at different village (“kampong” in Malay). This is the usual order of the stops on your way to Tioman:
Kampong Genting
Kampong Paya
Kampong Tekek
Kampong Air Batang (known as “ABC”)
Kampong Salang
Simply reverse the order on your way back from Tioman to Mersing. Please ask the crew if you’re not sure where to disembark. By the way, if you’re going to Kampong Mukut or Nipah, please inform the ferry crew in advance, so they can inform you accordingly, because these kampongs are generally not on the usual destination list. If you have already booked a place in Juara Beach resort, 4WD transport between Tekek-Juara can be arranged for guests.
By car
If you are from Kuala Lumpur, the best road is to take the North-South highway and drive towards south and exit through Segamat. From there continue your journey to Kluang and then to Mersing. The approximate time from Kuala Lumpur to Mersing is about 4-5 hours. Other alternatives way is access through Karak Highway from Kuala Lumpur through Temerloh, Kuantan, Pekan, Kuala Rompin, Tanjung Gemuk to Mersing.
From Singapore, visitors can drive up across Causeway to Johor Bahru and follow the coastal road to Mersing passing through Kota Tinggi over 138km of journey. Do not worry where to park your car because there are parking lot provided and it costs only RM 10/night*.
By bus
For those who wanted to use public transports, you can use buses. Transnational provide service from Kuala Lumpur directly to Mersing with 6 hour of journey every day. The price of the ticket is around MYR33*.
Buses are also available from Singapore at Queen and Lavender Street bus Terminals depart early in the morning at 6am with ticket price around SGD35*. After arrive at Mersing station, you have to walk about 10 minutes to the jetty.
